Bronya had awakened the moment Wendy did—but she'd pretended to sleep, watching silently.
When Wendy left the room, Bronya crept to the door and listened.
She heard everything.
She saw everything.
Wendy—once defiant—was now clinging to Xingyue like a lovesick child.
What kind of ability is this? Bronya thought, horrified. Is she going to use it on me next?
Outside, Wendy clung to Xingyue's arm, her thoughts altered. She believed her Herrscher power made her worthy—made her useful.
"Oh, right," Xingyue said. "There's another one inside. Let's see if Bronya's awake."
She turned toward the room.
Bronya, still hiding, shivered.
Her heart pounded.
Her mind raced.
I have to think fast… or I'll be next.
What do I do? What do I do?
Bronya's heart raced. She didn't want to forget Seele. She didn't want to become a pawn of the Herrscher of the Sea.
She lay back on the bed, hands clasped tightly to her chest, whispering a silent prayer.
Seele… please give Bronya strength.
Her eyes remained closed, but her body was tense. Her throat tightened with every swallow.
Xingyue entered the room, motioning for Wendy to step aside. She approached Bronya, puzzled.
She should be awake by now… is she injured?
Xingyue reached out, her fingers brushing Bronya's forehead. Her lips parted to speak—
"Heavy Armored Bunny, full armament deployed!"
Bronya's eyes snapped open. She sprang up, and her mech companion materialized behind her, unleashing a barrage of weapons.
Clang—Buzz—
All projectiles were deflected by a shimmering barrier around Xingyue. The weapons clattered to the floor.
Only Bronya's dagger remained—thrusting forward.
But Xingyue caught her wrist effortlessly.
"You little—"
Bang!
Wendy struck from behind, slamming Bronya into the wall. The house shook. Bronya's body screamed in pain. Blood spilled from her lips.
Wendy dragged her down, choking her with brutal force.
"Enough," Xingyue said, clapping her hands with a smile.
Wendy sneered, then released her grip.
Black tentacles slithered forward, binding Bronya's limbs and waist, lifting her before Xingyue.
Their eyes met.
Xingyue giggled.
She reached around Bronya's waist, fumbling until she pulled out a small, flickering device.
A tracker.
"No way… Z ( ° °; ) one…"
"You really thought your friends could rescue you?"
Xingyue toyed with the device, then—surprisingly—placed it on the table.
"Alright. Let's see what your companions can do."
Bronya's eyes burned with defiance.
Xingyue turned, then paused.
"Oh, look what I forgot."
She raised her hand. The tentacles detached Heavy Armored Bunny.
"I forgot you could cheat with this toy."
She stepped forward, pinched Bronya's chin, and lifted her gaze.
"Hey, Bronya. Let's make a bet."
"If Kiana and the others rescue you, I'll let you go. I'll even help you retrieve Seele from the Sea of Quantum."
"But if they fail…"
Xingyue licked her lips.
"You and Seele will both marry me."
???
Bronya's mind blanked. Three metaphorical question marks hovered above her head.
"Refusal is invalid." Xingyue added, gesturing toward Wendy.
Bronya understood instantly. Her back broke into a cold sweat.
Just as Xingyue prepared to act again, a faint electromagnetic pulse—used only by Honkai Beasts—reached her.
She stepped away, listening intently.
Her expression shifted.
Schicksal and Anti-Entropy had allied.
Battleships. Valkyries. Mecha units. All converging on her location.
Human wave tactics? Really?
She scoffed.
Welt must be here too. And Hyperion? Probably. Theresa wouldn't abandon her students.
But Xingyue had no desire for mass slaughter. That would be… awkward.
She paced, then sat cross-legged, hands clasped, a faint glow radiating from her body.
It would drain her energy—but it was necessary.
Schicksal Battleship – Deck
Otto stood at the bow, sipping red wine, admiring the sky.
They had studied Xingyue's fear-inducing aura. A special medicine now allowed Valkyries to resist it.
Once it was exhausted, Durandal and the others could finish the job.
Otto had brought nearly all of Schicksal's heritage.
The only remaining issue: how to split the spoils with Anti-Entropy.
He smiled confidently.
Then—
"Your Grace!"
Amber rushed forward, flustered, clutching a report.
Otto raised an eyebrow.
"You're unusually rattled, Amber."
"I—I apologize, Your Grace. But this news is… staggering."
She unfolded the paper.
"Radar confirms one million Honkai Beasts encircling us from eight directions. The formation is tightening."
"And most critically—over twenty Emperor-class Honkai Beasts are among them."
Amber's voice trembled.
"With all due respect… if this continues, we will be completely annihilated."